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You are here: Home / animals / Rain and A Surprise Visitor

Rain and A Surprise Visitor

May 9, 2025 at 9:04 am by Claudia

Well, we got through about 36 hours with no rain, but it came back last night and will last through tomorrow.

Sigh.

So, much of our time on Wednesday and Thursday was spent mowing. If we didn’t mow, it would have been impossible to cut the grass when this bout of rain ends. Everything is growing by leaps and bounds, including the grass, and the amount of rain that has fallen this week has intensified that growth.

On Wednesday, Don thought he saw something in our culvert, which was full of water from the storms. We looked closer and this is what we saw:

Can you see him?

A closer look. A froggy in our culvert! You can see the pipe that runs under our driveway. He peeked up at us, then disappeared into the culvert. Every once in a while, he’d emerge again to see if we were there.

It was quite magical. I’ve never seen a frog in our culvert before, but we’re not usually down there after a lot of rain. But since we were mowing in that area, we were fortunate enough to see him. I looked for him yesterday, but he wasn’t there. I wonder if he lives in the pond on our neighbor’s property?

Speaking of the pond, the peepers stopped peeping this week. I miss hearing them. But I’m grateful for nearly two months of joyful peeping.

The lilacs are sagging – the rain has been pelting them. I took a quick sniff of some of the remaining blooms yesterday.

Our bridal veil spirea has started to bloom.

Next up will be the huge spirea by the porch. I meant to cut it back this year but didn’t get around to it. Darn it. Next year, that will be a priority.

We are amazed by how deeply green it is everywhere. Once the transition from winter to spring really gets going, the transformation is stunningly speedy.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: animals, flowers 16 Comments

Comments

  1. Ellen D. says

    May 9, 2025 at 9:10 am

    Nice that the rain held off so you had time to mow. Enjoy the weekend.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 9, 2025 at 10:44 am

      Thanks so much, Ellen.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  2. kathy in iowa says

    May 9, 2025 at 9:39 am

    glad if you’ll get some dry, sunny weather soon. that’s what we’re having and i would trade it for your rain if i could. :)

    also glad all that mowing put you in a place to see the frog.

    i know your blog can serve as a reminder, but i’m wondering if you keep a gardening journal or a list or make notes on a calendar (such as to trim the spirea by your porch next year) or go by pure memory or what you see …? and do you go by instinct or refer to gardening books and websites for when and where to plant, fertilize and trim things? whatever, you end up with beautiful results.

    today will include a lot of hopefully-brief errands. i have long had a plan i couldn’t always keep when working, but have kept since retiring (three years ago yesterday) … avoid stores in general and especially on the weekends.

    hope you have a good, green day. stay safe.

    kathy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 9, 2025 at 10:46 am

      No journal or calendar. I do add some chores to my planner at the beginning of the season – if I think of it. By this time – gardening here for 19 years – I know what to do when.

      Stay safe, Kathy,

      Reply
      • kathy in iowa says

        May 9, 2025 at 7:08 pm

        experience is a good teacher. :)

        kathy

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          May 10, 2025 at 7:42 am

          xo

          Reply
  3. linda in ky says

    May 9, 2025 at 11:55 am

    dear Claudia/Don — great you all got some mowing done !! here, was cool/cloudy yesterday but today is lots of sun w/cool temps but no rain till next week — Mr is out mowing nonstop to try to get ahead of growing grass (we can hear it laughing, ha). hope y’all have a good weekend (kids and gkids will be here (all I have to do is sweet tea and choc cream pie, isn’t that great for me????) stay safe/healthy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 9, 2025 at 12:49 pm

      Have a lovely time with the family, Linda.

      You’re right – the grass is laughing!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  4. Dee Dee says

    May 9, 2025 at 12:56 pm

    Seems like you’ve had a busy week of garden work. Have a rest and enjoy it over the weekend.
    Mr. Frog looks like he’s stepped out of a Beatrix Potter story!

    Happy Friday

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 10, 2025 at 7:41 am

      I know! He’s delightful!

      Stay safe, Dee Dee.

      Reply
  5. jeanie says

    May 9, 2025 at 1:05 pm

    What a handsome fellow and what a delight! So glad you are done with the mowing for a bit. Our peepers have stopped too. Pity. Happy weekend.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 10, 2025 at 7:42 am

      I miss those darned peepers. I know they’re there, but it’s too quiet now.

      Stay safe, Jeanie.

      Reply
  6. Donnamae says

    May 9, 2025 at 2:07 pm

    Glad to hear you managed to get the lawn mowed before the rains come again. We’ve had a dry week here, so we are able to get all yard work done.
    That’s a cute visitor you had there…hope he returns for you. Enjoy your day! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 10, 2025 at 7:42 am

      He returned. Don saw him.

      Stay safe, Donnamae.

      Reply
  7. Elaine (in Toronto) says

    May 9, 2025 at 7:24 pm

    Sweet little frog -a harbinger of spring. Love your spirea. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Elaine

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      May 10, 2025 at 7:43 am

      Thanks so much, Elaine,

      Stay safe.

      Reply
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Welcome!

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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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